Pyramid Scratch Cards
We were somewhat surprised when we opened up Pyramid by NeoGames for the first time. What greeted us was not the bright, dusty desert of the northern Sahara desert or the towering pyramids glistening in the sun, but rather a third-person perspective of somebody playing a scratch card that featured such scenery. The game itself actually appears to take place in a casino in an unspecified location, perhaps intending to invoke the idea of standing in a traditional casino in Las Vegas (or elsewhere) looking to strike it rich.
We found the interesting subversion to be quite the hook, and wanted to play this game to find out more what it was like. So with all that said, how will Pyramid stack up in terms of its gameplay?
Exploring the Tombs of Egypt
What did you think of when you heard the word “pyramid”? We imagine you likely thought of the majestic structures built by the ancient Egyptians millennia ago that still very much stand the test of time (or maybe the oft-forgotten Nubian pyramids built further to the south).
Many scratch card makers quite literally bank on this association when making any game that features a pyramid in any capacity, and you can bet that any scratch cards game with “pyramid” in its name will prominently feature an Egyptian theme, as well as the riches and gold of the gods that they filled their tombs with.
In some ways, Pyramid looks exactly like what you would expect. There is a whole host of assorted ancient Egyptian artwork and nomenclature. Indeed, you can make out various hieroglyphics, the Eye of Ra, a pyramid, and that classic “BAR” symbol any scratch cardss game worth its salt should have.
The machine itself looks like it came straight off of an etching in a clandestine tomb located somewhere in a secluded part of the Valley of the Kings – you can even see a group of worshippers drawn in the very art style Ramses II himself would have been rendered in. But the contrast between the imagery of the scratch cardss and the generic, nondescript setting of the casino proved to be somewhat jarring. Although this feeling quickly remedied itself as I progressively found myself engrossed in the gameplay offered by Pyramid.
Sitting Atop the Pyramid
From a technical standpoint, Pyramid plays in a very simple and straightforward fashion. Like many of NeoGames offerings, the game boasts a triad of 3x1 reels, in effect acting as three independent “paylines”. That said, that means that the game doesn’t feature any wild/scatter symbols. What’s cool though is that you can bet different amounts on any of the three reels – use this to your advantage if one of them is on a hot streak.
The buttons below also allow you to adjust the coin denominations used (from 0.1 to 10 units of currency), bet the maximum, activate the auto-play button and then the spin button itself for whenever you are ready to begin playing.
Showered with Egyptian Riches
Pyramid is non-progressive and is pretty no-frills about its prize offerings, as there are no bonus games, free spins, or any of the other crazy features that are seen in other scratch card games. But for what it lacks in features it makes up in sheer prize-winning potential. The base size of the jackpot is a sheer 10,000 coins! If you are playing with the maximum amount of 10 coins per spin, then this jumps to a life-changing sum of 100,000 coins.
Don’t bet small – Pyramid makes you work for your earnings, and if you want to win big you have to bet big.
From the Heights of the Pyramids
Finally, the verdict is in – Pyramid is another strong and competently designed game by the geniuses at NeoGames. The basic, technical gameplay will no doubt appeal to the hordes of traditionalists looking for a solid game of scratch cards without being burdened by the onslaught of frivolous features and gratuitous add-ons that many other scratch cards games try to offer in place of actual gameplay.
While the relative paucity of features may prove to be a turn-off to some casual gamers, the more dedicated gambling crowd with an understanding of what makes great scratch cards games great will no doubt appreciate the beautiful simplicity in the design and gameplay of Pyramid. The smart, intuitive interface and big prizes make Pyramid a game anybody can enjoy.
If you are up for a little Ancient Egyptian fancy, NeoGames certainly delivers that and then some through Pyramid.
